Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) Practice Questions 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The minimization principle in data privacy refers to the practice of limiting the collection and retention of personal data to only what is necessary for the purposes it is intended for. In this context, restricting data access to only essential personnel is a clear application of the minimization principle. It ensures that only those individuals who genuinely need access to the data for legitimate reasons can view or use the information. This practice reduces the risk of unauthorized access and decreases the potential for misuse, thereby aligning with the objectives of data protection and privacy regulations.

In contrast, collecting broad data for any investigative purpose, reviewing all collected data without restrictions, and retaining all records indefinitely without specific requirements all violate the essence of minimization. These practices would likely lead to unnecessary data accumulation, increased risks of privacy breaches, and a lack of accountability in handling personal information. Thus, restricting access to essential personnel is the appropriate application of the minimization principle.